COMMERCE, TEXAS – Lions soccer (14-5) is on the precipice of claiming their first LSC Tournament Championship since 2004, and can seal the deal this Sunday with a win over the visiting No. 20 ranked team in the nation, the Angelo State University Rambelles (15-3-1).
 
The table is set for Sunday's showdown after a slate of two games in the semifinal round of the tournament on Friday. Things kicked off with a matchup between Angelo State and Eastern New Mexico, in which ASU out-shot the Zias 22-15, ultimately prevailing 3-1 thanks to a hat trick from junior forward Sierra Anderson, who was named Co-Offensive Player of the Year the previous day, along with A&M-Commerce sophomore forward Savannah Henderson. The Lions played next against the Midwestern State Mustangs, and after controlling the pace and limiting MSU to three shots on goal, won 2-1. Henderson answered Anderson's production in the first game by notching an assist to go with her game-winning goal.
 
ASU and A&M-Commerce split the season-series with a pair of tightly contested one-goal games. The first time they met in San Angelo, regulation couldn't decide things, and neither could the first overtime. It wasn't until, with six minutes left in the final overtime period, Sierra Anderson found the back of the net to give the Rambelles the win, spoiling the would-be shutout for keeper Courtnie Northern who had made nine saves up to that point. Later in the year, ASU traveled east for A&M-Commerce's Senior Game. After a scoreless first half, Jade Bell set up Savannah Henderson to the right of the box with one ASU player to beat. Henderson juggled the ball up over her defenders head, which dropped behind her, Henderson then sidestepped, gathered the ball, and buried the ball in the back of the net for the eventual game-winner.
 
Coach of the Year Travis McCorkle's squad collected four First Team All-Conference honors this year. Including Anderson (14G), those include sophomore midfielder Haley Mendel (7G, 6A), Co-Defensive Player of the Year Ashley Exford, and Co-Goalkeeper of the Year Shantel Wittke. In addition to Second Team All-Conference defender Caity Conaway, these five will likely represent the most difficult individual matchups to address for the Lions.
 
For the Lions to crack Wittke and ASU's pair of All-Conference defenders flanking her, the Lions will once again look to the duo of Co-Offensive Player of the Year Savannah Henderson (13G, 7A) and Second Team All-Conference forward Jade Bell (9G, 7A). Henderson has scored five game-winning goals over the course of the season, while Bell enters the game on fire, having notched points in her last seven straight games. Also providing assistance on the offensive end will be the Lions trio of Second Team All-Conference midfielders Madison Cordts, Callie Annett, and Julia Hernandez.
 
On defense, First Team All-Conference defender Vicky Back and Second Team All-Conference defender Ashley Phillips will orbit the net of junior keeper Courtnie Northern, who picked up Second Team All-Conference honors following a stellar season. On the year, Northern has amassed 7 shutouts to go with her .690 GAA and her conference-leading .887 save percentage.
 
The rivalry between Angelo State and A&M-Commerce is an old one, as this will be the 26th meeting since 1996. The Lions control the historical edge with a 14-9-2 record over that span, but Angelo State has taken over in recent times, having compiled a 5-1-1 record against the Lions since November of 2011.
 
Things are set to get underway on Sunday, November 9 at 1 p.m. at Lion Soccer Field, where the LSC Tournament Champion will be crowned. Tickets are $5 at the gate for fans 13 and over. For children 12 and under, as well as students of the participating schools with a valid student ID, admission is free of charge.